1984 Rookie Michael Jordan First Game vs Magic Johnson & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
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Publicado 2023-11-27
These early career games where Michael Jordan took less than 15 shot attempts are fair to assume were games of acclimation. Despite not being widely regarded as the most skilled group, his teammates were still professional athletes who had pride & you could see hesitation, on the court, at times, with deferring leadership to a newcomer, even one with Jordan's burgeoning reputation. So, in the initial phase of his career, Michael had to proceed with caution, especially in the delicate dynamics of team hierarchy. Even though Michael Cooper played exceptional defense against MJ, this was truly a game where Jordan focused on facilitating the play and managing the offense. He was not aggressive. Even when other players defended Jordan, he looked to run the play that was called. As a rookie, Jordan was navigating the challenge of aligning his fierce competitive nature with the collective temperament of the team. Ball movement was encouraged (30:37). He would however put his foot on the gas pedal when his team needed him most, in this contest.
Imagine, you haven't even played 20 games in the NBA & you are tasked with defending the great Magic Johnson, in Los Angeles, as a rookie! Most legends would struggle with that early task, during a rookie season. Magic Johnson was Michael Jordan's assignment for most of this contest. And despite playing more tentative (early in his rookie campaign) than he'd play throughout his career, Jordan was already Top 5 in NBA Scoring, and had a reputation as one of the game's best 4th quarter players, before even playing in his 20th game. This would be a tough challenge for Air Jordan. Michael had his work cut out for him in this road contest. The Lakers came in to this game with a 4 game win streak against the Bulls dating back to early 1982.
The Hollywood crowd would not disappoint featuring some of the most wealthy and successful people from the Los Angeles area in attendance. Jack Nicholson was of course in the crowd, as you'd expect, for this contest. But did you know, just 2 nights prior, that Jack was in attendance at the Bulls vs Clippers game on November 30, 1984 at L.A. Sports Arena? That's right, Jack was in attendance at this Lakers game, but just 2 nights prior, Jack skipped a Lakers game, to watch Jordan play against the Clippers! ( • 1984 Rookie Michael Jordan vs Bill Wa... ) Jack loves his Lakers, but he was front and center to watch Michael Jordan's career from the beginning to the end. Later on in Jordan's career, Jack would later appear courtside at games in Chicago, on numerous occasions. Jack's interest in Michael Jordan wasn't mutually exclusive to him though. Although Jack attending 2 of Jordan's first 20 basketball games, courtside, is perhaps the best celebrity story from Jordan's rookie season... as stated during this broadcast, 8 out of the first 13 road games during Michael Jordan's career, sold out, in 1984, when communications were slow & methodical compared to now. Jordan's exposure to the general public had only just begun but a box office trend was developing very early on.
Could you imagine a world where Rookie Michael Jordan defeated Magic Johnson & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in their own house? MJ could.
(1984-85 Season)
TIMESTAMPS: (Go to comments for full list of timestamps)
2:14 - Game Begins
5:33 - Michael Jordan 1 v 1 drive vs Michael Cooper
7:25 - Replay of Michael Jordan's drive vs future DPOY ('87) Michael Cooper
10:48 - Michael Jordan vs Michael Cooper (draws foul on McGee, free throw)
16:08 - Jack Nicholson in the crowd
17:24 - Michael Jordan crossover & drive vs Magic Johnson
18:31 - Replay of Michael Jordan crossover vs Magic Johnson & left handed layup
20:26 - Michael Jordan steals Magic Johnson entry pass to Kareem
20:31 - Michael Jordan transition hanging bank shot
23:48 - Jordan free throws
24:08 - Michael Jordan block on Michael Cooper
26:51 - Michael Jordan fouls Kareem
31:05 - Michael Jordan free throw
31:56 - Michael Jordan breaks up Magic Johnson fast break
33:02 - Michael Jordan jumper
34:22 - Michael Jordan attempted steal called foul vs Magic Johnson
38:18 - Michael Jordan offensive rebound and tough put back shot
41:32 - Michael Jordan draws Kareem away from Dave Corzine (layup)
45:08 - Michael Jordan clutch jumper
47:12 - Michael Jordan clutch jumper
49:02 - Michael Jordan denies entry pass to Kareem
51:44 - Game ends
Todos los comentarios (21)
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Jordan playing like he from the future.His ball control was so different from everyone else on the court🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
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There’s something going on in these games that’s not present today. I believe they used to call it “defense”.
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This was a special moment in basketball but at the time the people that were there didn’t realize that they were seeing something special. The past (Kareem) and present (Magic) vs the future (Jordan). No one could imagine how great Jordan would become.
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A Rookie MJ with a thin roster of role players beat the Showtime Lakers, with all their depth. Incredible.
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1. Kareem was amazing at 37. Unparalleled footwork and the ability to really produce at the free throw line. 2. How beautiful the game is when every second shot isn't a 3 pointer. A really good flow to the game, especially when guys prioritized cutting to the basket. 3. Magic's ability to distribute the ball was incredible. 4. Jordan's skill set was evident even 18 games into his career. 5. Orlando Wooldridge played like a man barely on the edge of control. 6. It's crazy how weak the early Bulls lineups were around Jordan. Outside of Woolridge, I don't think they had anyone who would even be in a starting lineup elsewhere in the league at that time. 7. Anjelica Houston was hot.
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That sky hook is sick
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Interesting thing is, Jordan was, in my opinion, the best player in the league long before the Bulls started winning championships. The best years of his career were the 4 seasons prior to the championship era when he put up averages of 34.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3 steals and shot an insane (for a SG) .519 from the floor while winning 4x scoring titles, 4x all NBA first team awards, 3x all defensive first team awards, 2x steals titles and a league MVP.. The common misconception among many NBA fans is that during those years he was "still learning how to win." I say nonsense to that. He already knew how to win, and he already had the off the charts determination. What he didn't have yet was a team around him to contend. Once that happened, he put the league on lockdown for the better part of a decade.
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Congrats Michael Jordan. Watching from 2024
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I'm going to tell my grandkids this was MJ in his first game ever against Magic, Kareem, McAdoo, Cooper, Scott, and he won, with that travesty of a roster. Unbelievable! Certified Goat
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MJ took the task of defending Magic then on the other side was guarded by Michael Cooper, Jordan was something else and all this in his rookie yr. #GOAT
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Team basketball, defense and Nobody Shooting A Thousand Threes Is Real Basketball 👍👏
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I was at this game, I remember how fast Jordan was.
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What a beautiful display of a game of basketball it was this game. I like modern NBA, but I really miss the 1980's early 90's basketball.
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This Laker team was unstoppable! Kareem, Magic, Cooper, Worthy, McAdoo, B Scott. And Rookie MJ in only his 18th game putting on an aerial assult. While having to contend with one of the greatest perimeter defenders in Michael Cooper. What a great time for basketball
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These old school games are way better than todays boring games
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I want all his haters to look at this roster and tell me how MJ was supposed to win a championship with this team!!
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holy cow.....u do not have 5 guys shooting 3 s all night....miss my 80 s b ball....
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I know I'm bias but I can't watch current games all the way through and I can't stop watching this one. It's not just Jordan (which is amazing) It's Magic, Kareem and the chess match.
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Y’all were right. I can’t see a lot of dudes in today’s league actually putting effort on defense like this.
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In my opinion, you have three of the top five greatest NBA players of all time playing in this game.
